Thomas Skinner was the first celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing this year with his professional partner Amy Dowden
Thomas Skinner was the first to bid farewell to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing series. The ex-Apprentice contestant and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, were shown the exit by the judges during Sunday’s results show.
Despite their salsa performance to Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers, it failed to win over judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood, who all chose to save Chris Robshaw instead.
Even though he was the first to depart, Thomas expressed that he had a “great fun” and praised Amy as being in a “different class.”
However, a former Strictly pro dancer has voiced his opinion on Skinner’s departure and didn’t mince words about their routine.
James Jordan, a Strictly regular from 2006 to 2013, spoke candidly with Express Online on behalf of Freebets.com, sharing his views on whether Thomas was the right choice for elimination, reports the Express.
“I mean, I’m not necessarily saying it was a stitch-up, but he wasn’t given a very good song,” James commented. “They know the demographic that are watching Strictly. It’s generally an older audience. I don’t even know what the song was, but it was one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard.”
He further added: “I just thought the whole thing was a bit naff really, and I felt sorry for him because if he’d had a nice beautiful waltz or something, he probably would have gone through.”
When questioned about his feelings towards Amy Dowden, he responded: “It’s really difficult, isn’t it? I feel horrendous for her that she’s had cancer, but when they’re partnering them up, they’re partnering them up to see who they think is gonna match the best, that’s the problem.
“Amy is absolutely lovely. But when it comes to maybe dancing style, ability, or choreographing, maybe there’s perhaps better in the show, so they’ve got the better celebrities, possibly, I don’t know.
“But of course, for anyone to go out as a pro when you do the show, you want to stay in as long as possible, but having the best dancer isn’t always necessarily make your series the most enjoyable.”
Earlier last week, viewers claimed that Thomas had been “set up to fail” after being given the demanding Salsa. One fan remarked on X: “The song for Skinner… Oh, they want him out bad,” whilst another wrote: “Oh Thomas is being set up for a fall.”
Following the duo’s elimination, Amy – who received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 – voiced disappointment that she never managed to perform a ballroom routine with her celebrity partner.
The 35 year old professional dancer commented: “We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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